Trailing Wyatt Earp’s Path
Kevin Costner might be pondering over his latest project, ‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ which didn’t set the box office on fire. This isn’t the first such case for Costner though. Years back, he faced a similar situation with his western film, ‘Wyatt Earp.’
Interestingly, ‘Wyatt Earp’ hit the theaters half a year after a blockbuster by the name of ‘Tombstone.’ Val Kilmer’s portrayal of Doc Holliday in ‘Tombstone,’ a 1993 classic based on the notorious OK Corral Gunfight, won heaps of praise. Alongside him, Kurt Russell and Sam Elliott delivered standout performances. This film is still recalled as one of Kilmer’s finest roles.
‘Tombstone’ Overshadows ‘Wyatt Earp’
The triumph of ‘Tombstone’ set a challenging backdrop for ‘Wyatt Earp,’ which also revolved around the same character. Released six months post ‘Tombstone,’ Costner’s film was not as well received. Its dismal box office collection of $56 million was sadly overshadowed by the figure that took to produce the movie – $63 million.
Owing to this disappointing performance, ‘Wyatt Earp’ gained the unenviable title of a box office catastrophe. Costner revealed in an interview that the timing of his film’s release post ‘Tombstone’ was ill-advised. The surprise rivalry between the two movies did not sit well with him. He wished he had put off the release of ‘Wyatt Earp,’ more so because he had produced it as well.
‘Horizon’: A Future Loaded With Danger
Ignoring past setbacks, Costner continued to take on high-risk projects. ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ was one such venture, which attracted attention for its large-scale vision and Costner’s personal investment in the project. Unfortunately, it too took the box office bashing, mirroring the disheartening fate of ‘Wyatt Earp.’
Originally, the second instalment of ‘Horizon’ was slated for an August release. However, seeing this lukewarm response, New Line Cinema decided to hold it back indefinitely. They hoped this move might lead audiences to appreciate the first chapter more, but with bleak initial reactions and earnings of mere $32 million against a budget of $50 million, the future seems uncertain.
Nonetheless, Costner remains unfazed. He is unwavering in his determination to see the third instalment of his saga reach the silver screen.
If you’re curious about the tales that contributed to Costner’s ill-fated timing of ‘Wyatt Earp,’ you can stream ‘Tombstone’ and ‘Wyatt Earp’ on Apple TV.
In conclusion, even seasoned craftsmen like Kevin Costner have their moments of failure and decisions they wish they could undo. These instances are stepping stones on the path to making films. Regardless of the results, whether it’s Wyatt Earp’s wild western adventures or the grand scope of ‘Horizon: An American Saga,’ Costner proves time and again that he is a committed actor and producer. His passion for storytelling remains undeterred by setbacks and unfavorable box office results. Like the true storyteller he is, Costner gives his all to the narratives he chooses, no matter the outcome.
For more details, visit Project Casting Blog on https://www.projectcasting.com/blog/news/kevin-costners-box-office-struggles-from-trekking-wyatt-earps-trail-to-horizons-rocky-journey/